The SDSU Honors College curriculum includes a minimum three-credit-hour enrollment or a maximum of six-credit-hour enrollment in Honors Directed Study. It is anticipated that students will enroll in the Honors Directed Study during their senior years but earlier enrollment and completion is possible. An application and approval process has been created for the Honors Directed Study enrollment; it is very important that students adhere to the approval process.

Definition of Honors Directed Study

Honors College students should begin formulating an idea for the Honors Directed Study during the junior year or earlier if a junior-year completion is sought. The Honors Directed Study can take different forms. It cannot simply duplicate students' earlier work but can be a significant extension of earlier work. The Directed Study may take the form of traditional undergraduate library or laboratory research and the compilation, analysis and recording of research findings in a formal written form. Or it could be a complex, multifaceted group project addressing a societal need. The Directed Studies might also take the form of an invention, musical composition, video production, or visual arts show. It is our desire to emphasize the principles of academic excellence and academic accommodation with the Honors Directed Study, and we are convinced that the two principles can be served simultaneously.

Procedure for Approval of Honors Directed Studies

Honors College students should request an Honors Directed Study approval form through the Honors College administrative office. Students will observe that the proposed Honors Directed Studies must first be approved by the faculty (regular or adjunct) supervisor of the Directed Study. Obviously, approval will require prior consultation with the faculty supervisor. The proposed Directed Study must also be approved by the Honors College Committee before the enrollment period. Students will not be permitted to enroll for Honors Directed Study without these prior approvals

In seeking prior approval of the Honors Directed Study, students should adhere to the Directed Study guidelines that are included on the approval form. A sample of the form can be found on the "Forms and Documents" page of this Web site. The Directed Study is intended to result in an integration of bodies of knowledge, address a matter of societal importance, and/or focus on some primary element of the student’s major.

Ongoing Progress Reports

The Honors Directed Study process also requires periodic reports to the faculty supervisor and final approval of the Honors Directed Study in the form of a letter grade assigned by the faculty supervisor. Completion of the Honors Directed Study will be recorded by the Honors College as part of the monitoring of progress toward completion of the Honors College requirements.